Fluorescent bowling balls

ABSTRACT

A novel element is added to a bowling game by incorporating an ultraviolet light-sensitive dye or pigment in a bowling surface ( 24 ), a gutter ( 25 ), a bowling ball ( 26 ), and/or a bowling pin ( 28 ). A bowling establishment ( 10 ) is provided with an ultraviolet light source ( 50 ), ( 52 ), which, when conventional lighting ( 42 ), ( 44 ), ( 46 ) is dimmed and/or turned off, will cause the ultraviolet light-sensitive dye or pigment to fluoresce, such that the components ( 24 ), ( 26 ), ( 30 ) fluoresce and glow to provide a pleasing effect attractive to bowlers.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 09/427,205, entitled FLUORESCENT BOWLING BALL; which is a divisionalof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/918,652, entitled ULTRAVIOLETLIGHT ILLUMINATED BOWLING GAME, now issued U.S. Pat. No. 5,888,142;which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/631,246,entitled ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT ILLUMINATED BOWLING GAME; which is adivisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/512,476, entitledULTRAVIOLET LIGHT ILLUMINATED BOWLING GAME, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,529,541;which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/278,518,entitled ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT ILLUMINATED BOWLING GAME, now U.S. Pat. No.5,489,241. Priority under 35 U.S.C. 120 is hereby claimed on each of theabove-identified patent applications. The entire contents of each ofwhich are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to a bowling game, such as ten pinbowling, and more particularly to a bowling game that may be played withone or more components of the game fluorescing in relatively darkconditions as a result of sensitivity to ultraviolet light.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] As is well known, bowling, such as ten pin bowling, is played intwo main forms. One form is league bowling wherein a plurality of teamscompete against one another. The other form is so-called open bowling,where individuals play strictly for recreational purposes and/or tocompete amongst themselves on an individual basis.

[0004] Bowling proprietors, that is, the owners of bowlingestablishments, rely on open bowling to occupy their establishments whenleague play is not occurring. Without the revenue stream produced byopen bowling, most proprietors would suffer financial difficulty.Consequently, it is desirable to maintain and increase the number ofopen bowlers using a given bowling establishment.

[0005] To accomplish this goal, variations on conventional bowling havebeen derived to entice open bowlers to a bowling establishment. Onepromotion that has worked well to attract open bowlers has been theso-called “black out promotion,” often referred to as “moonlightbowling.” For this, the lights of the bowling establishment are dimmedand lighting above the lanes eliminated entirely. Moonlight bowling isespecially popular with bowling proprietors because the relaxed, funatmosphere that results attracts customers who are often not regularbowlers. These new customers then provide the means whereby the numberof open bowlers using an establishment may be maintained and/orincreased to thereby maintain and/or increase the revenue streamgenerated by open bowling.

[0006] While the advent of moonlight bowling has indeed succeeded inattracting non-regular bowlers, it remains nonetheless a goal of abowling proprietor to achieve an even greater increase in non-regularbowlers attending his or her establishment. The present invention isdirected to achieving that object.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is the principal object of the invention to provide a new andimproved bowling game. More specifically, it is an object of theinvention to provide a variation in a bowling game that is particularlysuited to attracting bowlers to open bowling at a bowling establishment,and to otherwise provide a variation on a conventional bowling game.

[0008] According to one facet of the invention, a bowling establishmentis provided. The same includes an enclosure that may be selectivelydarkened. An elongated bowling game surface component is located in theenclosure and is flanked by gutter components. Bowling game pincomponents are located in the enclosure for disposition on the surfacecomponent. Similarly, bowling game ball components are disposed in theenclosure and are adapted to be rolled on the surface component at thepin components disposed thereon.

[0009] The enclosure includes selectively operable conventional lightingmeans for normally illuminating the enclosure. Also, included is anultraviolet lighting means in the enclosure which is selectivelyoperable for directing ultraviolet light at the surface component, thepin components disposed thereon, and ball components rolled thereon. Anultraviolet light-sensitive dye or pigment is disposed on at least oneof the components at or sufficiently near the surface thereof as tovisibly fluoresce when exposed to the ultraviolet lighting means. As aconsequence, the enclosure may be selectively darkened, with theconventional lighting means wholly or partially turned off and theultraviolet lighting means operated so that the dye or pigment willfluoresce within the darkened enclosure as a bowling game is playedtherein.

[0010] The use of a fluorescing ultraviolet light-sensitive dye orpigment adds a novel feature to so-called “moonlight bowling,” which isattractive to bowlers and draws them to the establishment having thesame.

[0011] In one embodiment of the invention, the component provided withthe dye or pigment is the bowling surface component. Alternatively, itmay be the gutter components.

[0012] In another embodiment of the invention, the components having thedye or pigment are the bowling pin components.

[0013] In still another embodiment of the invention, the componentshaving the dye or pigments are the ball components.

[0014] The invention also contemplates that any two, three, or all ofthe components may be provided with the ultraviolet light-sensitive dyeor pigment.

[0015] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided abowling lane which includes an elongated structure having an upper,planar surface on which bowling balls may be rolled. An ultravioletlight-sensitive dye or pigment is on the structure so as to be visibleat the planar surface when fluorescing. The dye or pigment substantiallycovers either the entirety or simply part of the planar surface.

[0016] Included is a selectively operable source of ultraviolet lightwhich is directed at the planar surface so that substantially theentirety of the surface or the selected part will be illuminated byfluorescence of the dye or pigment when the light source is operating.

[0017] In still another aspect of the invention, the bowling lane asjust described includes a film covering substantially the entirety ofthe planar or upper surface, and an adhesive is interposed between thefilm and the upper surface for adhering the film to the upper surface.The ultraviolet light-sensitive dye or pigment is incorporated in thebowling lane.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the dye or pigment is incorporated inthe film and/or the adhesive.

[0019] In a highly preferred embodiment, the dye or pigment isincorporated in the adhesive.

[0020] Preferably, the dye or pigment is present in the range of 0.2 toabout 3.0 weight percent of the dry adhesive.

[0021] The invention contemplates that the adhesive be present in anamount in the range of about 10 to about 150 pounds dry adhesive per3,000 square feet of the upper surface.

[0022] Most preferably, the dye or pigment is substantially colorlessunder normal lighting conditions or in daylight.

[0023] Preferably, the film is transparent.

[0024] According to still another facet of the invention, there isprovided an ultraviolet light fluorescing protective coating for abowling lane, which includes a thin transparent film of a materialselected from the group consisting of polyesters, polycarbonates,polystyrenes, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, acrylics,polyurethane, fluorocarbon polymers, and nylon. A pressure sensitiveadhesive is disposed on one side of the film and is selected from thegroup consisting of acrylic, vinyl-acrylic co-polymer, rubber-resin, andsilicone pressure sensitive adhesives. An ultraviolet light-sensitivedye or pigment that is essentially colorless in daylight but whichfluoresces in ultraviolet light is disbursed in the adhesive.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the protective coating that has theadhesive coated on the film is an amount in the range of about 10 poundsto about 150 pounds per 3,000 square feet of surface of the one side ofthe film.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the film is a polyethyleneterephthalate polyester, and the adhesive is a vinyl-acrylic copolymeradhesive.

[0027] Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the followingspecification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] In the drawings:

[0029]FIG. 1 is a somewhat schematic, side elevation of a bowlingestablishment made according to the invention;

[0030]FIG. 2 is a somewhat schematic sectional view taken at rightangles to the view of FIG. 1;

[0031]FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view of a bowlinglane made according to the invention;

[0032]FIG. 4 is an elevation of a bowling ball made according to theinvention with part of the same broken away; and

[0033]FIG. 5 is an elevation of a bowling pin made according to theinvention, again with part of the same broken away.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0034] An exemplary embodiment of a bowling establishment made accordingto the invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 in a somewhat schematic form.The same includes an enclosure, generally designated 10 having a ceiling12 with a saw tooth configuration, opposed end walls 14 and 16,sidewalls 18 (only one of which is shown), and a floor 20. Supported onthe floor 20 is a plurality of bowling lanes 22 in side-by-side relationas is well known. The lanes 22 may be either natural wood constructionor so-called synthetic lane construction and each has an upper surface24 which is planar and which is flanked by gutters 25 (FIG. 2). Thesurface 24 is adapted to have one or more bowling balls 26 rolledthereon toward the pit end 28 thereof. As is well known, bowling pins 30are spotted in a triangular configuration on the bowling surface 24 atthe pit end 28, usually by an automatic pinsetter, shown schematicallyat 32.

[0035] The pinsetter 32 is hidden by a so-called masking unit 34, whichmay be of conventional construction. A ball return and rack, generallydesignated 36, is located near the approach end 38 of the lanes. An area40, shown extremely condensed in FIG. 1, to the right of the approachend 38 of the lane 24 may house the usual amenities such as seating forthe bowlers, a bar and/or grill, an area for entertaining children,equipment storage, and rental locations, etc.

[0036] In the usual case, the enclosure 10 would be relatively windowfree. The windows, if any, will generally be located adjacent the area40 and will severely limit the amount of light entering theestablishment 10. For this reason, the ceiling 12, and the saw toothsthereof, is provided with conventional lane lighting, typically in theform of several fluorescent tubes 42. In addition, conventional lamps 44may be disposed behind the masking unit 34 so as to illuminate the pitend 28 of each of the lanes 22.

[0037] In the area 40, additional conventional lighting in the form ofselectively operable fluorescent lighting tubes 46 is located.

[0038] According to the invention, each lane 22 or lane pair is providedwith at least one ultraviolet light source. In a preferred embodiment,one such light source is shown at 50 and is located in one of the sawtooths of the ceiling 12, while another is given the reference numeral52 and may be mounted behind the masking unit 34.

[0039] In a highly preferred embodiment, the light sources 50 and 52 areselectively operable and emit electromagnetic radiation, preferably atleast a portion of which is ultraviolet light at a wave length in therange of about 200 to 400 nanometers. Shorter wave lengths are notpreferred as being potentially environmentally unsound.

[0040] According to the invention, one or more of the bowling componentsin the enclosure 10 is provided with an ultraviolet light-sensitive dyeor pigment at or in sufficiently close proximity to its surface, suchthat the dye or pigment will visibly fluoresce when subject to theultraviolet light emitted by the sources 50 and 52. By definition, amaterial that “fluoresces” or that is “fluorescent” is a material thatemits visible light when exposed to electromagnetic radiation. Morespecifically, a “fluorescent” material is one that emits visible lightduring such time that the material is irradiated with electromagneticradiation, which may be visible or non-visible to humans. To enhance theeffect of the fluorescing component, it is contemplated that aproprietor of the establishment 10 would turn off the lane illuminatinglights 42, 44 and dim or turn off the lights 46. Inasmuch as the lights46 illuminate an area 40 that might house a bar, a grill, etc.,generally speaking, the lights 46 will only be dimmed.

[0041] If the bowling lane surface 24 is the component provided with thedye or pigment, generally only the source 50 will be illuminated.However, if the pins 30 are provided with the dye or pigment, theultraviolet light source 52 will be illuminated.

[0042] Alternatively, if the balls 26 are provided with the dye orpigment, those of the ultraviolet light sources 50 and 52 may beilluminated.

[0043] As a preferred embodiment of the invention, the surface 24 ispreferably provided with the dye or pigment. However, the gutters 25,balls 26, and/or the pins 30 may be the only components provided withthe dye or pigment. Alternatively, any two, three, or all four of thecomponents may be provided with the dye or pigment.

[0044] Turning now to FIG. 2, the bowling lane 22, and the preferredmanner of incorporating the dye or pigment therein, will be described.The lane 22 may be made up of a series of side-by-side boards 54 which,depending upon the location on the lane, will be made of pine orhardwood, such as maple. Alternatively, the boards may be covered with asynthetic lane construction or dispensed with entirely. In the preferredembodiment, the boards 54 have their upper surface 56 covered by aprotective coating generally of the type sold under the trademark“Guardian.” This type of protective coating is disclosed more fully inU.S. Pat. Nos. 4,795,152; 4,867,816; and 4,944,514 to Suiter. Theprotective coating includes a clear, transparent, colorless film 58 of athickness that typically will be in the range of 3 to 7 mils adhered tothe upper surface 56 of the boards 54 by a layer of transparent pressuresensitive adhesive 60.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment, the film 58 is selected from the groupconsisting of polyesters, polycarbonates, polystyrenes, polypropylene,some types of polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, acrylics, polyurethane,fluorocarbon palmers, and some grades of nylon. In a highly preferredembodiment, the film is a polyethylene terephthalate polyester.

[0046] The adhesive 60 is a pressure sensitive adhesive selected fromthe group consisting of acrylic, vinyl-acrylic co-polymer, rubber-resin,and silicone pressure sensitive adhesives of various sorts. A preferredadhesive is a vinyl-acrylic copolymer adhesive.

[0047] According to the invention, the adhesive 60 is present in therange of 10 to 150 pounds of dry adhesive per 3,000 square feet of thesurface of the film 58 to which it is applied. A preferred coatingweight is 44 pounds of dry adhesive per 3,000 square feet of filmsurface.

[0048] Many types of known ultraviolet light-sensitive dyes or pigmentsmay be used. Selection of a particular dye or pigment will typicallydepend on the desired color to be generated when the dye fluoresces. Apreferred dye is that known as “Columbia Blue”—Day-Glo Tracer Dye D-298available from Day-Glow Color Corporation of Cleveland, Ohio. Thisparticular dye is essentially colorless in daylight, but fluorescesintense blue under ultraviolet light. It fluoresces brilliantly underultraviolet light having a wave length in the range of 360 to 80nanometers.

[0049] It is desirable that the dye be colorless under normal light ordaylight so that its presence in the coating, film 58, or the adhesive60 cannot be seen.

[0050] Preferably, the dye is used in the range of about 0.2 to about3.0 weight percent of the dry weight of the adhesive.

[0051] The dye material may be disbursed in the adhesive 60 by any of avariety of conventional means.

[0052] As noted previously, the ultraviolet sensitive dye or pigment mayalso be coated on the gutters 25 along their length. It may also beincorporated in the bowling balls 26. With reference to FIG. 3, as iswell known, a conventional bowling ball is typically made up of aninternal core 62, which may taken on any of a variety of differentshapes and which may be one or more pieces. The core 62 is surrounded bya cover 64. In the usual case, the cover 64 will be made up of polyesteror urethane resins.

[0053] According to the invention, the dye or pigment, in dry form, maybe ground up and mixed in with the cover stock used to form the cover64. Generally speaking, because of the thickness of the cover 64, itwill be desirable to use a higher weight percent of the dye or pigmentthan incorporated in the adhesive 60 to assure that a sufficient amountof the dye or pigment is at the surface of the ball so as to fluorescewhen subject to ultraviolet light. Alternatively, the ball may be coatedwith a finish containing the dye.

[0054] Additionally, the pins 28 may incorporate an ultravioletlight-sensitive dye or pigment. As seen in FIG. 4, a typical pin 28includes a wooden core 66 provided with a plastic base 68. The core 66is encapsulated in a protective skin 70. The skin 70 may be formed ofany of a variety of materials as, for example, the polymeric materialsold under the registered trademark “Surlyn.” In this case, again, a drydye or pigment is ground up and mixed into the Surlyn prior to itsapplication to the pin core 66 and again, it may be necessary to use alarger weight percent of dye or pigment than with the adhesive 60 forthe reason mentioned previously in connection with the ball 26.

[0055] Of course, in some instances, it may be desirable to simply paintan ultraviolet sensitive dye or pigment containing finish or coating onan object. In such a case, the dye or pigment may be mixed into apolyurethane coating material. For example, if the gutters 25 associatedwith the lane 22 are to be provided with the fluorescing dye or pigment,they may be painted with a conventional polyurethane finishing materialcontaining the dye or pigment.

[0056] When the bowling surface is to fluoresce, substantially itsentire surface or some selected part of its surface will be providedwith the dye. If only a selected part is to be provided with the dye, ittypically, but not always, will be that part of the lane nearest the pindeck 28. In some cases, a “hybrid” installation may be used. Forexample, film 58 with a dye containing adhesive 60 may be installed atthe approach end of the lane to provide protection for the bowlingsurface in the area where it takes the most abuse, and a dye containingcoating or finish used elsewhere on the lane.

[0057] To the extent that a bowling establishment or bowling lane orprotective coating made according to the invention can be visualizedfrom the foregoing description, it will be appreciated that when in useand with the dye or pigment fluorescing while being exposed toultraviolet light in a darkened establishment, a somewhat eerie, butnonetheless mysteriously pleasant sensation is felt by the observer. Thecomponents incorporating the dye or pigment cast a glow perceptible toall observers but not easily described. The novelty thereof isattractive to many people, and as a consequence, provides a noveladdition to a conventional bowling game that is extremely well receivedby bowlers.

[0058] The above description is considered that of the preferredembodiment only. Modifications of the invention will occur to thoseskilled in the art and to those who make or use the invention.Therefore, it is understood that the embodiment shown in the drawingsand described above is merely for illustrative purposes and not intendedto limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the followingclaims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law,including the doctrine of equivalents.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A bowling pin comprising a bowlingpin-shaped structure having at least a portion thereof made in part of alight emitting material that emits visible light in response toelectromagnetic radiation.
 2. The bowling pin as defined in claim 1 ,wherein said light emitting material fluoresces when irradiated withnon-visible electromagnetic radiation.
 3. The bowling pin as defined inclaim 1 , wherein said light emitting material fluoresces whenirradiated with electromagnetic radiation, at least a portion of whichbeing ultraviolet light.
 4. The bowling pin as defined in claim 1 ,wherein said bowling pin-shaped structure includes a core and a skincovering the exterior surface of said core, and wherein said lightemitting material is provided in said skin.
 5. The bowling pin asdefined in claim 4 , wherein said skin is formed of a mixture of saidlight emitting material and a polymeric material.
 6. The bowling pin asdefined in claim 1 , wherein said light emitting material is afluorescent dye or pigment.
 7. The bowling pin as defined in claim 1 ,wherein said bowling pin-shaped structure includes a wooden core and acoating of said light emitting material provided on a portion of anexterior surface of said core.
 8. The bowling pin as defined in claim 7, wherein said light emitting material includes a fluorescent dye orpigment mixed with polyurethane.
 9. A bowling pin comprising: a bowlingpin structure; and means provided on a portion of said bowling pinstructure for emitting visible light in response to exposure toelectromagnetic radiation.
 10. The bowling pin as defined in claim 9 ,wherein said means emits visible light when at least a portion of theelectromagnetic radiation is non-visible.
 11. The bowling pin as definedin claim 10 , wherein said means includes a finish including afluorescent dye or pigment.
 12. The bowling pin as defined in claim 9 ,wherein said means emits visible light when irradiated with ultravioletlight.
 13. A bowling pin comprising a bowling pin-shaped structureincluding a wood core and polymer skin, said skin including a ground updry light sensitive material mixed into the polymer skin, said lightsensitive material emitting visible light in response to electromagneticradiation.
 14. A bowling pin comprising: a bowling pin-shaped woodencore; and a coating provided on the exterior surface of said woodencore, said coating including a fluorescent dye or pigment mixed withpolyurethane, said fluorescent dye or pigment visibly flouresces whenexposed to ultraviolet light.